Recreational boat fishing

Fly fishing from a dinghy

Recreational fishermen usually fish either from a boat or from a shoreline or river bank. When fishing from a boat, or fishing vessel, pretty much any fishing technique can be used, from nets to fish traps, but some form of angling is by far the most common. Compared to fishing from the land, fishing from a boat allows more access to different fishing grounds and different species of fish.

Inshore

Inshore boat fishing is fishing from a boat in easy sight of land and in water less than about 30 metres deep. The boat can be as small as a dinghy. It can be a row boat, a runabout, an inflatable or a small cabin cruiser. Inshore boats are typically small enough to be carried on a trailer, and are much more affordable than offshore fishing boats. In recent times fishing from a kayak has become popular.

Anglers either use an uptide rod between 9 and 10 feet in length to cast from the boat or a shorter downtide rod between 6 and 8 feet. Lines are usually between 18 pounds and 50 pounds breaking strain dependent on the species of fish being targeted. Reels are usually multipliers, although fixed spool reels are being used more and more. Baits are similar to those used for beach and rock fishing except they are often larger since larger fish are targeted. The species will include all the beach species, but now also include big conger eels and small sharks like tope and smoothhound.

Offshore

Deep sea fishing from a boat in the Gulf of Mexico

Offshore boat fishing, sometimes called deep sea or open water fishing, is fishing in deep water (more than 30 metres) and at some distance from land. It is dangerous compared to shallow water or lake fishing. More knowledge is needed about weather patterns, navigation and safety precautions, and this is not an activity for beginners.

Offshore boats are generally much larger than inshore boats, and may need to be moored in a marina. They are sturdily constructed so they can brave the weather and water conditions encountered in open waters. Though they differ in design and purpose and prices vary widely they are generally expensive to build and maintain. Most offshore recreational fishermen charter boats rather than own them. It is often a pastime of the affluent, and there is a demand for charter boats equipped and catered to luxurious excess.

Offshore game fish, like marlin and tuna, can be very large and heavy tackle is needed. Fishing is usually done with sea rods, such as downtide rods, with lines of 30 to 50 pounds and multiplier reels. Baits are the same as for inshore fishing and include squid and whole mackerel as well as artificial lures such as perks. Fishing takes place over reefs and wrecks for very large cod, ling and congers.

See also

• Fishing vessel
• Traditional fishing boats

References

• Gibson, Barry (2001) Inshore Salt Water Fishing. Creative Publishing. ISBN 0-86573-132-2
• Newman, Bob (1994) Inshore Fishing: The Carolina Coast. Down Home Press. ISBN 978-1-878086-27-3

External links

• Offshore fishing doesn't have to break the bank
• Boat Fishing Reports

Angling and game fishing Angling Boat fishing Trolling Casting Spey casting Reach cast Surf fishing Rock fishing Bank fishing Kayak fishing Centerpin fishing Coarse fish Rough fish Bottom fishing Tackle Techniques Tournaments Traditional fishing boats Angling personalities Television series Game fishing Big-game fishing Land-based game fishing Salmon run International Game Fish Association Sport fish Bass Carp Fly target species Mahi-mahi Marlin Porgie (bream) Shad Smelt whiting Striped bass Swordfish Walleye The catch Catch and release Tag and release Bag limits Minimum landing size Panfish Priest (tool) Ike jime Catch records Europe UK   Fly fishing Fly fishing Fly fishing tackle Bamboo fly rod Fly rod building Fly Casting Analyzer Spey casting Reach cast Tenkara fishing Float tube Trout bum Target fish Fly waters Bibliography of fly fishing Artificial flies Fly lure Fly tying Amadou Clouser Deep Minnow Cul De Canard Diawl bach Egg sucking leech Elk Hair Caddis Flesh Fly Grey Ghost Streamer Hare's Ear Klinkhammer Muddler Minnow Partridge and Orange Pheasant Tail Nymph Royal Coachman Trolling tandem streamer fly Woolly Worm Woolly Bugger Organizations American Museum of Fly Fishing Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum Federation of Fly Fishers Trout Unlimited Literature Blacker's Art of Fly Making A Book on Angling A Concise Treatise on the Art of Angling Dry-Fly Fishing in Theory and Practice Favorite Flies and Their Histories Floating Flies and How to Dress Them The Fly-fisher's Entomology A History of Fly Fishing for Trout Minor Tactics of the Chalk Stream Pseudonyms of notable angling authors The Salmon Fly The Way of a Trout with the Fly

v t e Fisheries and fishing topic areas Fisheries Aquaculture Diversity of fish Fish diseases and parasites Fish farming Fisheries management Fisheries science Individual fishing quota Sustainable fishery Wild fisheries Fishing Artisan fishing Fisherman Fishing vessel History of fishing Industry By country Commercial fishing Marketing Markets Processing Products Seafood Recreation Angling Big-game fishing Catch and release Fly fishing Techniques Fish trap Fishfinder Fishing net Gathering seafood by hand Handline fishing Spearfishing Trawling Tackle Artificial flies Bait Bite indicators Hook Line Lures Rod Sinker Locations Fish ponds Fishing banks Fishing villages Marine habitats Glossary Index Outline